Sam Sodje was 'so sorry' for punching Jose Baxter in groin

APOLOGIES: Sodje said sorry to his team mates in the dressing room after the game in which he was sent off [GETTY]

“I had signed Sam and he was generally a good lad to manage, that’s why it’s such a shock”

Guy Whittingham

Former Portsmouth boss Guy Whittingham says Sodje apologised in the changing room after punching Jose Baxter in the groin to allegedly collect a £70,000 bung.

The defender was secretly filmed boasting about the incident, which occurred in a League One match at Oldham.

The former Nigeria international had nine games at Fratton Park last season but was released in July after relegation.

“He apologised to the rest of the team after the game because we only lost 1-0 and we probably had a chance of getting something until he was sent off,” said Whittingham.

“I didn’t suspect anything at the time. I had signed Sam and he was generally a good lad to manage, that’s why it’s such a shock. I thought he was a team player.”

It has also been claimed that Oldham winger Cristian Montano deliberately tried to get booked in return for payment from the same betting ring.

RED CARD: Sodje was sent off for punching Jose Baxter [GETTY]

An Oldham spokesman said: “The club will commence an immediate internal investigation to establish all the relevant facts of the case. The club is co-operating with other agencies in this matter and cannot comment on specific facts at this stage.”

Two of Sodje’s brothers, Stephen and Akpo, have also been implicated in the betting ring.

Six people were arrested yesterday by the National Crime Agency, although officials refused to confirm their identities.

The Football Association said they were working closely with the authorities in relation to these allegations.

The Professional Footballers’ Association said they “will continue in our efforts to eradicate this evil from our game.”